Madhya Pradesh Soybean Farmers Lukewarm on Price Difference Scheme

31-Oct-2025 10:49 AM

Indore. Although the Price Difference Payment Scheme (PSS) has been reintroduced for this important oilseed in Madhya Pradesh, the country's leading soybean-producing state, after eight years, and the Union Agriculture Ministry has allocated ₹17.75 billion for the purchase of up to 2.22 million tons, farmers are not very enthusiastic about the scheme. Growers say that the scheme's process is complex and online payments are often delayed.

Under this scheme, farmers sell their soybeans in open markets and the government pays them the price below the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

This indirectly provides farmers with the MSP. Farmers are required to submit a valid receipt for the sale. Previously, the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana) was implemented in Madhya Pradesh in October 2017, and many farmers faced significant difficulties in receiving fair compensation.

Producers complain that this scheme involves manipulation by buyers, delayed payments, and a complex registration process.

This time, the deadline for soybean procurement in Madhya Pradesh under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana has been set from October 24, 2025, to January 15, 2026. Only farmers who have registered between October 3 and 17 will benefit from this scheme.

Although the central government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for soybean by Rs. 436 from Rs. 4892 per quintal for the 2024-25 season to Rs. 5328 per quintal for the 2025-26 season, the wholesale market price is still well below this level.

There are also indications of a decline in soybean production this year. Farmers used to be able to sell their produce at government procurement centers, but now they have to search for buyers.

Even high-quality soybeans are not priced above ₹4,500-₹4,600 per quintal. Farmers typically expect to receive a better price than the support price, but this is not possible under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana.